With America’s grid running into a capacity wall, DOE is leaning on grid-enhancing technologies to squeeze more capacity out of today’s wires without waiting a decade for new transmission. (DOE)
Dynamic line rating replaces static, worst-case assumptions with real-time weather data. That shift, pioneered by Idaho National Lab’s GLASS software, lets utilities safely move 10–40% more power over existing lines.
Pilots have already delivered big results: PPL avoided a $12M rebuild and cut congestion by $64M, Oncor boosted capacity up to 14%, and Duquesne Light saw a 25% lift in Pennsylvania tests.
Now, DOE is pushing rapid scale. FERC Order 1920 requires utilities to evaluate grid-enhancing tools in transmission planning, and DOE is funding new sensors, drone-based monitoring and power-flow controls to close knowledge gaps.